Review: 'CATS' wonderful fun at Playhouse Downtown

Sunday

Sep 8, 2013 at 10:57 AM

With strong vocal and dance skills, the cast gives a powerful performance in the Playhouse Downtown production of "CATS."

By KATIE WINKLERFor the Times-News

The cats are on the prowl at Flat Rock Playhouse's downtown theater!With lyrics based mostly on a book of whimsical poems T. S. Eliot wrote for his godchildren, “CATS,” by Andrew Lloyd Webber, is one of the longest-running Broadway shows, second only to another Lloyd Webber play, “The Phantom of the Opera.”The reason for its long appeal is apparent — acrobatic dancing, strong vocal performances and a memorable score topping the list. In a junkyard somewhere on a moonlit night, a cat tribe gathers for a “Jellicle Ball” before the chief cat Old Deuteronomy chooses the one who will be reborn to a new life on the “Heaviside Layer.” There Munkustrap tells us about the “three different names” of cats, the third one which they keep to themselves.The bulk of the play is one musical number after another, introducing us to a myriad array of marvelous felines, including young cats, old cats, a “Gumbie” cat, a railroad cat, a theater cat, a magical cat and a swaggering tom. There are also cat burglars, a cat villain and an old glamour cat named Grizabella, played poignantly by Hannah Rose de Flumeri.De Flumeri delivers an incredible performance, singing the show's most recognizable piece, “Memory,” based on Eliot's marvelous poem, “Rhapsody on a Windy Night,” which is not in the book of cats. The song, beginning with despair in the first act, reprises with triumph in the second, and de Flumeri uses her relatively few moments on the stage to add multiple layers to the dying cat's character.Another powerful vocal performance comes from Adam Richardson as Old Deuteronomy, who not only brings a venerable tone to his character, but a loving one. He truly seems like a grandfather cat that cares about his family. Old Deuteronomy's leading role in the finale, “Ad-Dressing Cats,” is one of the highlights of the show. The chorus definitely adds to the power of these scenes by showing reverence for their patriarch, gently leading him to a place of honor, outraged when he is stolen from them, rejoicing upon his return.Heather Siemienas brings this same care and concern to her role as Jellylorum, who introduces us to Asparagus, or Gus, played charmingly by Matthew Curtis. Siemienas is gentle and kind to the old theater cat that has seen better days. Emily McLoughlin plays another old cat, Jennyanydots, who “sits and sits and sits” during the day but gets up at night to play, and do some great tap dancing — a marvelous job by McLoughlin and the whole company. There is, of course, plenty of youthful spice and pizzazz to counter the older cats' creakiness. Brian Gregory Gephart's athleticism and obvious classical training in his role as Mistoffelees make him a joy to watch, and Nicholas Lorenzini lends sexy bravado to that most outrageous of tom-cats — Rum Tum Tugger. Other standout performances include Kyle Anderson as Munkustrap, bringing physical and vocal energy to his role as narrator, as does Wille Dee as Skimbleshanks, the railroad cat. Marvelous pairings include Danielle Lanae Burdick and Chloe Fox as Demeter and Bombalurina, who sing about that scoundrel Macavity. Very Nice. Nicole Pavone as Rumpleteazer and Christopher Michael Lacey as Mungojerrie also make an outstanding pair in their signature song. Very cute. This is truly an ensemble play, and the times when the “The Jellicle Choir” was singing were truly mesmerizing. In addition, the physical prowess displayed by every member of the cast bodes well for the futures of these young musical theater actors. The smaller, more intimate space of the downtown theater is the perfect location for this classic musical, directed by longtime vagabond Lisa K. Bryant, who brings out a special sweetness in this production, as unexpected as it is delightful. Add Jennifer Jancuska's energetic choreography, ably carried out by a hard-working tribe of delightful felines, and you have the makings of some wonderful fall family fun.Katie Winkler, a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, teaches English composition, British literature and creative writing at Blue Ridge Community College, where she is active in the drama department as a writer, actor and director.